Kelly Anne Mealia

Kelly Anne Mealia, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, November 29, 2020 after a courageous two-year battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme. She was 44 years old.

Born in Poughkeepsie, NY on December 16, 1975, Kelly was the daughter of Kevin T Mealia and Deborah M Cody. Her early childhood years were spent in LaGrange, NY with her older sister, Erin and younger sister, Kathleen, where she attended Arlington Schools. Her lifetime passion for acting blossomed when she attended Stissing Mountain Highschool, Pine Plains, NY, where she starred in many productions, most notably as Peter Pan in 1994.  Kelly was also an avid local community theater performer through Ancram Opera House and Tri- Arts.  She attended Penn State University, and earned her BFA from Ithaca College in 1998. Her professional career took her to many places but her heart and home was in Manhattan. There, she created a bustling life for herself and worked as a theater, voiceover, commercial, TV, and film actress.  Kelly’s enthusiasm and creativity didn’t end with acting; she was also an entrepreneur. KreativeKouture, her fashion stylist company was born in 2007 and Ollie & Boo, her jewelry company in 2010. 

While working on the musical ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Sarasota, FL, Kelly met the love of her life, Terry Small and, on November 18, 2006 they married on the same romantic white sand beach where they’d first dated and fallen in love.  Together they resided in Chelsea, Manhattan until the birth of their first child, Azalea Bleu in 2015, inspired a move to Rhinebeck, NY. Their second child, Jules Indigo, arrived two years later. 

Kelly loved life.  She loved laughing and making people laugh.  She loved giving to others and making someone’s day brighter.  She loved fashion and shopping.  She found joy in helping others to be their best self and encouraging them to lead with their hearts.  She was never one to order right off a menu but always special ordered her dish. She knew her mind and she was never afraid to be herself. She attracted the most loving, fun and devoted friends a person could wish for and surrounded herself with love.  She loved her first fur baby, a little black pug with a big personality, Lola Bella.  She loved children and found joy in the little things they would do, often asking for stories of her nephews and friends’ children.  She loved her own children and provided a protective and loving home for them, embracing their interests even if it meant "Frozen" 24/7.  She loved swimming in the ocean and spending her summers in Watch Hill, Weekapaug and Quonnie, Rhode Island. She loved her California husband and his family.  She found joy in their life adventures whether it be putting on a show, creating jewelry together, climbing an indoor rock wall or laughing together at a movie on their sofa.  

In addition to her husband and children, Kelly is survived by her mother and stepfather, Deborah and Dennis Cody, Rhinebeck, NY, her father and step-mother, Kevin Mealia and Carol Morrison, Ocean City, Maryland, her sisters Erin (Seth)Neubardt, Rye, NY, and Kathleen (Gaetano) Crupi, San Francisco,CA, Jennifer Cody, Hurley, NY, and Lisa (Jonathan) Lesser, Pittsfield, MA as well as nieces and nephews Nicholas and Asher Neubardt, Gaetano Crupi III, Aidan Cody and Kody and Kessler Lesser.

Surviving aunts and uncles are Robin (David) Fusiak, Garrison, NY, Christopher (Joanne) Urso, Poughquag, NY, Brian Urso, Brookfield, CT and Edward Mealia, Raleigh, NC, Kathleen(Richard) Stucklin, FL, and Barbara (Dennis) Ligay, Raleigh, NC, as well as numerous cousins. 

Kelly was predeceased by her grandparents, Clarence and Beatrice Urso (Mount Kisco, NY) and Edward and Elizabeth Mealia (Hastings on Hudson, NY).

Due to restrictions of Covid-19, a private service was held for the family. There will be a Celebration of Kelly's Life in late Spring 2021.

A fund is being established in Kelly’s honor for the children’s education.  Donations can be made to Terry Small, c/o 32 E Knoll, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.

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